[109th Congress Public Law 287]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]
[DOCID: f:publ287.109]
[[Page 120 STAT. 1231]]
Public Law 109-287
109th Congress
An Act
To award a congressional gold medal to Tenzin Gyatso, the Fourteenth
Dalai Lama, in recognition of his many enduring and outstanding
contributions to peace, non-violence, human rights, and religious
understanding. <<NOTE: Sept. 27, 2006 - [S. 2784]>>
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: Fourteenth Dalai
Lama Congressional Gold Medal Act. 31 USC 5111 note.>>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may cited as the ``Fourteenth Dalai Lama Congressional Gold
Medal Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that Tenzin Gyatso, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama--
(1) is recognized in the United States and throughout the
world as a leading figure of moral and religious authority;
(2) is the unrivaled spiritual and cultural leader of the
Tibetan people, and has used his leadership to promote
democracy, freedom, and peace for the Tibetan people through a
negotiated settlement of the Tibet issue, based on autonomy
within the People's Republic of China;
(3) has led the effort to preserve the rich cultural,
religious, and linguistic heritage of the Tibetan people and to
promote the safeguarding of other endangered cultures throughout
the world;
(4) was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his
efforts to promote peace and non-violence throughout the globe,
and to find democratic reconciliation for the Tibetan people
through his ``Middle Way'' approach;
(5) has significantly advanced the goal of greater
understanding, tolerance, harmony, and respect among the
different religious faiths of the world through interfaith
dialogue and outreach to other religious leaders; and
(6) has used his moral authority to promote the concept of
universal responsibility as a guiding tenet for how human beings
should treat one another and the planet we share.
SEC. 3. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.
(a) Presentation Authorized.--The Speaker of the House of
Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate shall make
appropriate arrangements for the presentation, on behalf of the
Congress, of a gold medal of appropriate design, to Tenzin Gyatso, the
Fourteenth Dalai Lama, in recognition of his many enduring contributions
to peace and religious understanding.
[[Page 120 STAT. 1232]]
(b) Design and Striking.--For purposes of the presentation referred
to in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury (referred to in this
Act as the ``Secretary'') shall strike a gold medal with suitable
emblems, devices, and inscriptions to be determined by the Secretary.
SEC. 4. DUPLICATE MEDALS.
The Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold
medal struck pursuant to section 3 under such regulations as the
Secretary may prescribe, at a price sufficient to cover the cost
thereof, including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, and
overhead expenses, and the cost of the gold medal.
SEC. 5. STATUS OF MEDALS.
(a) National Medals.--The medals struck pursuant to this Act are
national medals for purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States
Code.
(b) Numismatic Items.--For purposes of sections 5134 and 5136 of
title 31, United States Code, all medals struck under this Act shall be
considered to be numismatic items.
SEC. 6. AUTHORITY TO USE FUND AMOUNTS; PROCEEDS OF SALE.
(a) Authority To Use Fund Amounts.--There is authorized to be
charged against the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund such
amounts as may be necessary to pay for the costs of the medals struck
pursuant to this Act.
(b) Proceeds of Sale.--Amounts received from the sale of duplicate
bronze medals authorized under section 4 shall be deposited into the
United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
Approved September 27, 2006.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 2784:
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 152 (2006):
May 25, considered and passed Senate.
Sept. 13, considered and passed House.
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